Why Did China's Ambassador to North Korea Visit North Korea-China Facilities at the New Yalu River Bridge?

[Financial News] Wang Yajun, China's ambassador to North Korea, visited the entry and exit facilities on both sides next to the New Yalu River Bridge on the 16th (local time), a day after the bridge linking North Korea and China held its opening ceremony, prompting interest in the reason for his visit.
With people-to-people exchanges—including group tours to North Korea by Chinese tourists and the issuance of visas and tourist permits—not yet back to normal, the benefits of the New Yalu River Bridge's opening are expected to focus on freight transport for the time being.
The Chinese Embassy in North Korea said on the 17th that Ambassador Wang had visited the North Korea-China customs facilities at the New Yalu River Bridge the previous morning. Officials from China's Liaoning Province and Dandong, as well as officials from North Korea's North Pyongan Province and Sinuiju, accompanied him.
After touring the Chinese-side passenger inspection building, Ambassador Wang went through entry and exit procedures using his passport. He also visited the North Korean-side passenger inspection building, a comprehensive trade zone, a freight yard and a duty-free shop.
The Chinese Embassy in North Korea said the two sides had assessed that “Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of North Korea and China, the New Yalu River Bridge has officially opened. This has provided an important opportunity to strengthen connectivity between the two countries and deepen the traditional friendship between North Korea and China.”
The two sides also said they would “ensure the bridge fulfills its practical role, deepen economic and trade cooperation, promote local exchanges and visits, and improve the well-being of the peoples of both countries,” adding that “this will make an active contribution to the development of socialism in North Korea and China.” Ambassador Wang viewed the opening as an important achievement in implementing the consensus reached between the leaders of North Korea and China, saying it had “provided powerful momentum for expanding North Korea-China economic and trade cooperation and bringing people-to-people exchanges closer.”
He said he hoped “both sides will work together to seize this historic opportunity,” adding, “I hope the authorities on both sides will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation and optimize customs clearance, continue to promote practical local cooperation and communication between the peoples, and ensure that North Korea-China relations continue to develop with the times.”
The New Yalu River Bridge connects Dandong in China's Liaoning Province, the largest trading hub between North Korea and China, with Sinuiju in North Korea's North Pyongan Province. The four-lane bridge is 3,026 meters long. It was completed in 2014, but its opening was delayed due to a lack of connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side, among other reasons. It officially opened on the 15th.
[email protected] Yu Seon-jun Reporter